ASIAN CHAMPS 2011 SF – Hashimoto/Hirata spoil China’s party

Hirokatsu Hashimoto and Noriyasu Hirata brought cheers to Team Japan as they are the only non-Chinese left standing in the final race for gold. Besides the men’s doubles, the other four events will see China scoop both the gold and silver medals.

By Pearlyn Kwang, Badzine Correspondent. Photos (live): China Foto Press/ Badmintonphoto

And then there was one…one left representing the whole world against China’s Armada. Eighth-seeded Hirokatsu Hashimoto / Noriyasu Hirata (photo) stomped into Sunday’s final with a 21-14, 21-19 triumph over China’s Chai Biao / Guo Zhendong. The Malaysia Open champions could not respond effectively to the clever tactics of the Japanese pair, and Chai attributed the loss to their lack of chemistry, having only been paired together with Guo since December last year.

Hashimoto/Hirata will now take on reigning World Champions Cai Yun / Fu Haifeng for the highest place atop the podium, after the top seeded Chinese pair overpowered their compatriots Xu Chen / Zhang Nan 21-19, 21-15.

In a rematch of the All-England mixed doubles final, Xu Chen / Ma Jin (photo) once again proved too strong for world number 2 Sudket Prapakamol / Saralee Thoungthongkam. They defeated the Thai veterans in two straight games 21-17, 21-15, booking them a place in their second straight final – an impressive record for Xu/Ma, considering that they have played together for only three tournaments so far. They will now gun for their second title, but standing in their way is none other than world number 1 Zhang Nan / Zhao Yunlei, who will no doubt look forward to avenging their quarter-final loss at England.

With a 21-18, 25-23 victory over Jiang Yanjiao, Lu Lan showed everyone that she is still a force to be reckoned with as she enters the final – her first final appearance since her win at the 2009 World Championships. However, Wang Yihan will certainly not make it easy for Lu in the final as Wang seeks her second title of the year, following her success at the Korea Super Series in January. “I will try my best and hope to play as well as today. I was very lucky today, and I hope I can go one more step tomorrow,” said Lu Lan to Badzine.

One of China’s most recognizable names in badminton alongside Lin Dan, Bao Chunlai (photo) will attempt to pry the coveted men’s singles crown from his teammate’s hand as he plays defending champion Lin in the final. The seventh-seeded Chinese managed to avenge his two previous losses to Chen Long last year, prevailing 21-13, 21-12. Lin Dan similarly defeated his opponent without much hassle, trouncing Du Pengyu in two games.

The women’s doubles will pit sixth seeds Tian Qing / Zhao Yunlei against the second-seeded Wang Xiaoli / Yu Yang for the third time in a final this year.

All results HERE